Independent Review of the Response to Deaths in Prison Custody: progress report - follow up

Deaths in Prison Custody Action Group - High level work plan

Vision:

Consistent, person centred, trauma informed response to all deaths in prison custody. Early independent scrutiny of circumstances of a death, focus on identifying trends and systemic issues and meaningful involvement of bereaved families.

Work streams and actions:

Leadership and Governance work stream:

Shared vision and commitment to ensuring consistent, person centred, trauma informed response

Actions 0-9 months:

• External Chair appointed
• High level work plan published
• Clear vision agreed with partners and bereaved families to inform and deliver response to the Independent Review recommendations

Actions 9-18 months:

• External Chair update to Cabinet Secretary
• Agreement of independent public body to undertake early independent investigation
• Full DIPLAR chaired by an Independent Chair in respect of all deaths in prison held with bereaved family involvement

Actions 18-24 months:

• Independent Investigative process in place to commence at an early stage and conclude within months of a death
• External Chair update to Cabinet Secretary

Workforce and training work stream:

Person centred and trauma informed response delivered by a supported and capable workforce.

Actions 0-9 months:

• Review of training needs for SPS and NHS staff
• Review of available resources and identification of leads with expertise

Actions 9-18 months:

• Action plan in place for delivery of training
• Pathway for trauma informed support for SPS and NHS staff and other person in prison affected by a death owned by respective agencies
• Pathway for SPS and NHS staff defining response and roles following a death in prison owned by respective agencies

Actions 18-24 months:

• Evaluation of pathways and revision as required

Design and delivery of services work stream:

Planning, design and management of services to ensure consistency nationally.

Actions 0-9 months:

• Pilot concern form for families to report concerns to SPS
• Governor in charge first contact on behalf of SPS with bereaved families
• Access to privacy screens and ligature cutters
• NHS prison staff confirming death occurred in agreed circumstances

Actions 9-18 months:

• Accessible process in place for families to report concerns to SPS and be provided with feedback
• National process in place to ensure next of kin details held by SPS are up to date
• Pilot and evaluation of proposed new independent investigative process

Actions 18-24 months:

• Accessible information for bereaved families published detailing investigative processes and their involvement

Quality Improvement work stream:

Continuous improvements to inform delivery of response, enhancement of independent scrutiny and monitoring of outcomes.

Actions 9-18 months:

• Agreements in place to ensure sharing of relevant information between all agencies involved in response to a death in prison
• Pathway in place for communicating and information sharing by all agencies with families following a death in prison
• Consistent national recording and reporting of data relating to deaths in prisons

Actions 18-24 months:

• Process in place for identifying trends and systemic issues and making recommendations
• Monitor and publish implementation of recommendations
• Single Framework in place aimed at preventing deaths in prisons